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PRSRT STD The Monitor
US POSTAGE
PAID
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps PERMIT No. 1078
1111 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
8 1
The Monitor
Keeping the Pulse on the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps • Vol 8, Issue 3 – Holiday 2013
Simple Seasonal Preps & Precautions
Keep People & Pets Safe & Sound
While the danger from winter weather varies across
the country, nearly all Oklahomans, regardless of
where they live are likely to face some type
of severe winter weather. Winter storms
can range from a moderate snow
over a few hours to a blizzard
with blinding, wind-driven
snow that lasts for several
days. Many winter storms are
accompanied by dangerously
low temperatures and sometimes
by strong winds, ice, sleet and
freezing rain.
One of the primary concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock
out heat, power and communications services to your home or office,
sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can
immobilize an entire region.
The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the
“Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the
storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of
hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. Winter weather too
often catches people unprepared. The National Weather Service cites
that researchers report most injuries happen to males over
40 years old while 70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and
snow occur in cars, and about 25 percent of all winter related
fatalities are people that are caught off guard out in the storm.
What winter weather preparations are you making, and
what are the appropriate steps to take that will ensure
your winter weather safety? It is important to be
prepared for winter weather before it strikes.
Ice Storm Facts
f Ice storms — also referred to as glaze storms —
are common in valleys and foothills.
f Ice accumulates when super-cold rain freezes on
contact with surfaces, such as tree branches, that
are below freezing point.
f Throughout the U.S., ice storms occur most often during
the months of December and January, usually during the
coldest part of the day: sunrise.
•
f Ice storms have the bizarre effect of entombing everything in the
landscape with a glaze of ice so heavy that it can split trees in half
and turn roads and pavements into lethal sheets of smooth ice.
f Branches or whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Fallen
branches can block roadways, tear down power and telephone
lines, and cause other serious and minor damage.
f The weight of ice can easily snap power lines and break or bring
down power/utility poles, leaving homes without power for
anywhere from a day to a month.
f According to most meteorologists, just one quarter of an inch of
ice accumulation can add 500 pounds of weight per line span.
Ice storms are capable of shutting down entire cities with damage.
f Driving during an ice storm is extremely hazardous, because ice
can cause vehicles to skid out of control, leading to car crashes.
f Pedestrians must be cautious as sidewalks become icy making it
easy to slip and fall. Stairways also become an extreme injury
hazard once coated with ice.
TIPS – Before Winter Storms and
Extreme Cold
To prepare for a winter storm you should do the following:
Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to
your emergency kit:
f Rock salt or more environmentally safe products
to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental
Protection Agency at epa.gov for a complete list of
recommended products.
f Sand to improve traction.
f Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
f Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in
your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off.
f Store a supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace
or wood-burning stove.
(continued on page 2)
Happy Holidays &
Winter Wonderlands!
(May’s Tornados - continued from page 4)
The unit’s director isTom Thomson, M.Ed. and the unit’s coordinator is
John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D.
By the morning of May 20, the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps
was activated and a request made by Cleveland County emergency
management officials for mental health professionals to be deployed to
the American Red Cross Shelter established at the Absentee Shawnee
Tribe Resource Center in Little Axe.
By Wednesday, May 22, state governmental authorities recognized
that a special effort needed to be made to meet the mental health needs
of the survivors of the Moore tornado. Governor Fallin instructed the
Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to obtain, train and place
licensed mental health professional volunteers (later known as the
“green shirts”) into the impacted area. In his role as an employee of
the ODMHSAS, Tom Thomson was instrumental in designing and
implementing this program. Dr. Call was also tasked with this work and
helped train volunteers for several days that week. Dr. Call also worked
as a “green shirt” and provided PFA services on the streets of Moore.
On Friday, May 24, the first Multiagency Resource Center (MARC)
was set up by the Oklahoma VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active
in Disaster) at the Little Axe Elementary School. This was the first of
four such centers that would be developed in the Oklahoma City area.
(A week later FEMA also opened a Disaster Recovery Center at this
location.) The SRT was asked to participate in this endeavor and to
provide psychological first aid to disaster survivors who used this facility.
The call went out! MRC volunteers were needed to provide
psychological first aid to survivors as they accessed the various
charitable, state and federal organizations that were providing disaster
assistance. It was time to put into practice what we had learned during
all those PFA training classes. Many responded and the SRT remained
deployed at the Little Axe site until June 4.
The team members willingly left their jobs and daily lives to make a
difference. Those that responded, some for multiple days, and all paying
for their own transportation, lodging and food, were a dedicated group.
The inevitable frustrations and chaos of disaster work occurred but also
a deep bonding developed between many volunteers as they worked
together in a physically and emotionally challenging environment.
Preparation and dedication were key to the success of the Stress
Response Team’s deployment at the Little Axe MARC. Team members
had all trained in Psychological First Aid and eagerly jumped in to
interact and guide the tornado survivors as they visited the Multiagency
Resource Center. SRT members who worked at the Little Axe MARC
include Madison Farr, Jarrod Hertzler, Mary Gaudreau, Brad McKeever,
Brenda Godwin, Karen Fritz, Laura Boyd, Sherry Driggs, Eddie Melton,
Max Edgar, Carol Smith, Kimberly Laird, Greg Greene, and John Call. (If
anyone who volunteered at the Little Axe MARC has been overlooked
Dr. Call promises to take them to lunch.)
In conclusion, more volunteers are needed. With more volunteers we
could have served three additional MARCs. Please consider asking
a friend to join the MRC with you. And if you’re interested in joining the
SRT, email oksrtinc@gmail.com.
Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday!

PRSRT STD The Monitor
US POSTAGE
PAID
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps PERMIT No. 1078
1111 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
8 1
The Monitor
Keeping the Pulse on the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps • Vol 8, Issue 3 – Holiday 2013
Simple Seasonal Preps & Precautions
Keep People & Pets Safe & Sound
While the danger from winter weather varies across
the country, nearly all Oklahomans, regardless of
where they live are likely to face some type
of severe winter weather. Winter storms
can range from a moderate snow
over a few hours to a blizzard
with blinding, wind-driven
snow that lasts for several
days. Many winter storms are
accompanied by dangerously
low temperatures and sometimes
by strong winds, ice, sleet and
freezing rain.
One of the primary concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock
out heat, power and communications services to your home or office,
sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can
immobilize an entire region.
The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the
“Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the
storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of
hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. Winter weather too
often catches people unprepared. The National Weather Service cites
that researchers report most injuries happen to males over
40 years old while 70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and
snow occur in cars, and about 25 percent of all winter related
fatalities are people that are caught off guard out in the storm.
What winter weather preparations are you making, and
what are the appropriate steps to take that will ensure
your winter weather safety? It is important to be
prepared for winter weather before it strikes.
Ice Storm Facts
f Ice storms — also referred to as glaze storms —
are common in valleys and foothills.
f Ice accumulates when super-cold rain freezes on
contact with surfaces, such as tree branches, that
are below freezing point.
f Throughout the U.S., ice storms occur most often during
the months of December and January, usually during the
coldest part of the day: sunrise.
•
f Ice storms have the bizarre effect of entombing everything in the
landscape with a glaze of ice so heavy that it can split trees in half
and turn roads and pavements into lethal sheets of smooth ice.
f Branches or whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Fallen
branches can block roadways, tear down power and telephone
lines, and cause other serious and minor damage.
f The weight of ice can easily snap power lines and break or bring
down power/utility poles, leaving homes without power for
anywhere from a day to a month.
f According to most meteorologists, just one quarter of an inch of
ice accumulation can add 500 pounds of weight per line span.
Ice storms are capable of shutting down entire cities with damage.
f Driving during an ice storm is extremely hazardous, because ice
can cause vehicles to skid out of control, leading to car crashes.
f Pedestrians must be cautious as sidewalks become icy making it
easy to slip and fall. Stairways also become an extreme injury
hazard once coated with ice.
TIPS – Before Winter Storms and
Extreme Cold
To prepare for a winter storm you should do the following:
Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to
your emergency kit:
f Rock salt or more environmentally safe products
to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental
Protection Agency at epa.gov for a complete list of
recommended products.
f Sand to improve traction.
f Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
f Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in
your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off.
f Store a supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace
or wood-burning stove.
(continued on page 2)
Happy Holidays &
Winter Wonderlands!
(May’s Tornados - continued from page 4)
The unit’s director isTom Thomson, M.Ed. and the unit’s coordinator is
John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D.
By the morning of May 20, the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps
was activated and a request made by Cleveland County emergency
management officials for mental health professionals to be deployed to
the American Red Cross Shelter established at the Absentee Shawnee
Tribe Resource Center in Little Axe.
By Wednesday, May 22, state governmental authorities recognized
that a special effort needed to be made to meet the mental health needs
of the survivors of the Moore tornado. Governor Fallin instructed the
Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to obtain, train and place
licensed mental health professional volunteers (later known as the
“green shirts”) into the impacted area. In his role as an employee of
the ODMHSAS, Tom Thomson was instrumental in designing and
implementing this program. Dr. Call was also tasked with this work and
helped train volunteers for several days that week. Dr. Call also worked
as a “green shirt” and provided PFA services on the streets of Moore.
On Friday, May 24, the first Multiagency Resource Center (MARC)
was set up by the Oklahoma VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active
in Disaster) at the Little Axe Elementary School. This was the first of
four such centers that would be developed in the Oklahoma City area.
(A week later FEMA also opened a Disaster Recovery Center at this
location.) The SRT was asked to participate in this endeavor and to
provide psychological first aid to disaster survivors who used this facility.
The call went out! MRC volunteers were needed to provide
psychological first aid to survivors as they accessed the various
charitable, state and federal organizations that were providing disaster
assistance. It was time to put into practice what we had learned during
all those PFA training classes. Many responded and the SRT remained
deployed at the Little Axe site until June 4.
The team members willingly left their jobs and daily lives to make a
difference. Those that responded, some for multiple days, and all paying
for their own transportation, lodging and food, were a dedicated group.
The inevitable frustrations and chaos of disaster work occurred but also
a deep bonding developed between many volunteers as they worked
together in a physically and emotionally challenging environment.
Preparation and dedication were key to the success of the Stress
Response Team’s deployment at the Little Axe MARC. Team members
had all trained in Psychological First Aid and eagerly jumped in to
interact and guide the tornado survivors as they visited the Multiagency
Resource Center. SRT members who worked at the Little Axe MARC
include Madison Farr, Jarrod Hertzler, Mary Gaudreau, Brad McKeever,
Brenda Godwin, Karen Fritz, Laura Boyd, Sherry Driggs, Eddie Melton,
Max Edgar, Carol Smith, Kimberly Laird, Greg Greene, and John Call. (If
anyone who volunteered at the Little Axe MARC has been overlooked
Dr. Call promises to take them to lunch.)
In conclusion, more volunteers are needed. With more volunteers we
could have served three additional MARCs. Please consider asking
a friend to join the MRC with you. And if you’re interested in joining the
SRT, email oksrtinc@gmail.com.
Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday!